"It is vital that when educating our children's brains, we do not neglect to educate their hearts," said the Dalai Lama

At Madresfield Primary School we use a scheme to help us teach our PSHE and RSE curriculum, as outlined in our policy. 

Kapow Primary’s RSE & PSHE scheme of work aims to help pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to lead confident, healthy and fulfilling lives. The intention is for pupils to understand themselves and others, form positive relationships and make informed choices that support their wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around them.

The scheme encourages pupils to think with empathy, integrity and self-awareness, recognising how their actions and attitudes contribute to their communities. It supports them in developing respect for diversity, managing change and understanding their rights and responsibilities as citizens. It is designed to build a strong foundation for safeguarding, preparing pupils to navigate an increasingly complex world with confidence and care. Lessons promote emotional literacy, resilience and a sense of personal agency, helping pupils to approach life’s challenges with maturity and compassion.

The scheme supports teachers by providing clear guidance, structured progression and engaging resources, enabling them to deliver sensitive topics with confidence. The curriculum is both accessible and ambitious, ensuring all pupils can participate fully and achieve their potential as kind, thoughtful and responsible individuals.

The Kapow Primary scheme is a whole school approach that consists of three areas of learning in EYFS: Reception (to match the EYFS Personal, social and emotional development prime area) and five areas of learning across Key stages 1 and 2.

EYFS:

• Self-regulation
• Building relationships
• Managing self

Key stage 1 and 2:

• Families and relationships
• Health and wellbeing
• Safety and the changing body
• Citizenship
• Economic wellbeing

Each area is revisited to allow children to build on prior learning. The lessons also provide a progressive programme.

The lessons are based upon the statutory requirements for Relationships and Health education, but where our lessons go beyond these requirements (primarily in the Citizenship and Economic wellbeing areas) they refer to the PSHE Association Programme of Study which is recommended by the DfE.

Sex education has been included in line with the DfE recommendations and is covered in Year 6 of our scheme.

The scheme supports the requirements of the Equality Act through direct teaching, for example learning about different families, the negative effect of stereotypes and celebrating differences, in addition to the inclusion of diverse teaching resources throughout the lessons.

A range of teaching and learning activities are used and are based on good practice in teaching RSE/PSHE education to ensure that all children can access learning and make progress. In key stage 1 and 2, there is an introductory lesson at the start of each year group which provides the opportunity for children and teachers to negotiate ground rules for the lessons. These introductory lessons can then be referred to throughout the year to help create a safe environment. All lessons include ideas for differentiation to stretch the most able learners and give additional support to those who need it. Many lessons, stories, scenarios, and video clips provide the opportunity for children to engage in real life and current topics in a safe and structured way.

Role-play activities are also included to help children play out scenarios that they may find themselves in.

There are meaningful opportunities for cross-curricular learning, in particular with Computing for online safety and Science for growing, nutrition, teeth, diet and lifestyle. The scheme provides consistent messages throughout the age ranges including how and where to access help.

The role of parents and carers is recognised, and guidance is provided to assist schools on how to work with them and include them in their children’s learning.